On Thursday, the US Senate will read out the charges of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Earlier on Wednesday, the US House of Representatives voted in favour of it and cleared with a majority of 228 votes vis-a-vis 193 who voted against it.
This vote has effectively transferred the two articles of impeachment related to misuse of power and obstruction of the functioning of the Congress to the Senate, for removal consideration.
At a press conference, the Speaker of the House of Representatives said, “Today we will make history. When the managers walk down the hall, we will cross a threshold in history – delivering articles of impeachment against the president of the United States for abuse of power and obstruction of the House.”
Also Read: US President Donald Trump impeached, all you need to know
This will now be exhibited on Thursday at noon, which will then be read out on the floor of the upper chamber.
It is expected that the trail will begin, sometime next week. The Removal proceedings will be supervised by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. There will be an investigation where officials will be called in and examined on oath. The investigation report will then be put to vote.
While the President may survive this removal proceedings, the impact on the upcoming Presidential elections in the month of November will be keenly observed.
The Democrat led US House of Representatives had in December 2019 passed two resolutions of impeachment against President Trump.
The first motion of impeachment pertains to the offence of misuse of office. The President is alleged to have made a defence aid worth US $400 million to Ukraine, conditional upon that fact that the Ukrainian authorities would announce a public probe against Joe Biden, President Trump’s political opponent. The President strongly denies this.
The second motion of impeachment pertains to the issue of obstruction of the functioning of the Congress.